Since 2020, Bonjour, a French dessert shop, has brought unique French flavors to Louisiana.
Though it may not be well-known, it’s filled with scrumptious chocolate drizzled on waffles, fruity crepes, coffee and milkshakes, there’s something for everyone’s varying tastes.
A chronicle of the Opinion section’s experience at your next possible dessert stop follows.
Andrew Sarhan | Opinion Columnist
This was my first time at this shop, and honestly, I expected it to be a sweets store similar to something you’d find at the mall. The store had two seating areas, and the one we sat in had an entirely different atmosphere from the rest of the store—not a slight, but rather strange.
I ordered the triple chocolate crepe, and wow, was it decadent. The chocolate was not drizzled haphazardly; every stroke of chocolate had intention behind it. It mixed dark, milk and white chocolate together to create this richness rarely experienced. Usually, I do not like white chocolate, including in triple chocolate desserts, but I thoroughly enjoyed it at Bonjour.
Overall, my experience was a 7/10. The food was really good, but the uncomfortable atmosphere of the seating area killed the vibe for me.
Garrett Mcentee | Opinion Columnist
Allow me to preface that I did not dine in at Bonjour and instead had my food DoorDashed to me, so I have no comments on the aesthetics of the restaurant.
However, I do have several comments about their milkshakes and waffle sticks. Starting with potentially the most bland milkshake I’ve had in my entire 19 years of life: the S’mores Shake.
Its aesthetics were really cute, featuring smokey-toasted marshmallows and a cinnamon-crumbled graham cracker crust. However, it was the blandest shake my palette has ever touched. 0/10 Don’t waste your money.
However, my waffle stick with dark and milk chocolate drizzle and a lotus crumb was magnificent. I have never in my life tasted anything like it. It tasted like a homecoming after 100 years away at sea. It was crunchy then soft, and the chocolate was so smooth—genuine 10/10. In my expert opinion, skip out on the shakes and go straight for the waffles. Go stuff your face, my dear reader.
Mohammad Tantawi | Opinion Columnist
Baton Rouge is not known for its glamorous dining scene, so Bonjour’s existence is worthy of praise. I ordered the ‘Fruitella’ crepe—a crepe with a chocolate inner layer topped with strawberries, bananas, blueberries and a chocolate drizzle.
I’m very picky about my chocolate and found Bonjour’s not to my liking. After wiping it off with a napkin, I enjoyed the crepe. The mix of berries made for a delightful, healthy imposter experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a bit filling, so I didn’t finish it, but that had more to do with what I had eaten earlier.
The atmosphere could use some help. Non-chain eateries sometimes struggle to create the perfect dining experience, so I will cut them some slack for that.
With a paint job and a few new decor items, the place could be a place where I do my homework. Right now, it looks like a place I’d go to cry about my homework.
On a positive note, the music was nice. I couldn’t understand any of it, but it made me want to dance. Remember, we’re talking about Baton Rouge, a city run by football fanaticism and beer; we should be thankful Bonjour exists. If you’re deciding whether or not to go, let me help you out––go.
Blair Bernard | Opinion Columnist
I had an interesting experience dining at Bonjour. Upon arrival, I was already feeling a bit catfished because once we walked inside. I was very overstimulated by the volume of the music, the large array of options on the menu and the prices.
The viral Dubai chocolate cup I hoped to indulge in had been priced at $19. Personally, as a college student, I do not intend on willingly spending close to $20 on a treat.
However, still wanting to give Bonjour a fair shot, I ordered something I thought they couldn’t possibly manage to disrespect, a simple ice cream sundae. Safe to say, I was sadly mistaken. The ice cream gave a slight flavor of freezer burn with drizzles of cheap-tasting chocolate. I did, however enjoy the customer service. The two women working were incredibly pleasant and polite.
I also enjoyed my experience by going with a wonderful group of friends. We sat in a makeshift extended lounge area attached to the establishment that left me quite confused. All in all, a positive customer service, laughs and chats with friends will always be considered a semi-successful outing. Overall, I rate it a 2/10.
Ava Francis | Opinion Columnist
Bonjour. That’s not how I’m choosing to greet you, lovely people; it’s the name of the establishment my fellow opinionated friends and I tried recently.
When dessert is involved, you can always count me in. While I was excited to see what this local spot had to offer, the options were very limited.
I thought about indulging in a scoop of ice cream but noticed there were no dairy-free or sorbet options, so that was out.
Everything else on the menu didn’t wow me, so I opted for a nutella and strawberry crepe. It’s classic and pretty hard to screw up. I gave my crepe a 5/10.
It was okay but a bit soggy to my liking, and there was nothing special about it. Where the crepe lacked, the service did not. Everyone working at Bonjour was kind and helpful when it came to answering questions about the menu and giving recommendations on what to try. With a few improvements in decor and a menu revamp the overall experience can go from nay to slay.
Taylor Hamilton | Opinion Editor
Despite what some of my constituents may have said, I absolutely adored Bonjour.
Though I can admit that the varying aesthetics of the two dining areas were different, I could accept it given the excellence involving the desserts.
While we visited the local shop, I had the bubble waffle filled with strawberry ice cream, m&m’s and chocolate syrup.
Though it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I absolutely loved it. The crunch of the waffle and the silkiness of the chocolate truly added to lovely taste of the strawberry ice cream.
It was almost like I was eating a chocolate-covered strawberry with m&m’s. Sufficed to say, it was delicious.
So, to anyone who wants to try a bubble waffle, go and try it at Bonjour. 9/10.
